The mission of the SCTC is to improve the processing of drug cases through the expeditious entry of eligible defendants into judicially monitored drug treatment. A dedicated, coordinated program with direct judicial management serves as the center of a comprehensive criminal justice service continuum for substance abusing defendants. The SCTC is intended to improve the outcomes for drug dependant offenders, reduce criminality, improve the allocation of scarce criminal justice resources and promote public safety.

ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS:

Eligibility for participation in the Syracuse Community Treatment Court is limited to individuals who:

are charged with a non-violent instant misdemeanor or felony offense

have no prior conviction for a violent felony;

live in Onondaga County; and

are found to have a substance dependence problem.

Eligibility standards are verified by a review of police reports, rap sheets and a standardization instrument, that confirms chemical dependency.

SCTC PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS:

The SCTC contract is signed by the defendant, defense attorney, district attorney and judge at the participant’s initial appearance 'on the SCTC calendar. This constitutes formal enrollment into the program. Formal enrollment generally occurs, within one to two weeks of referral to the SCTC calendar. The basic contract requirements include:

compliance with directives of the clinical and SCTC case manager regarding treatment and participation in other rehabilitative activities such as education or job training;

appearance required at all SCTC hearings

acceptance and fulfillment of any sanctions imposed by the SCTC judge

obeying all laws; and

compliance with other mandates of the SCTC including community service.